Gavilan College Theatre hosts "First Monday" - a free play reading series

Angels in America will be read on October 6.

WHO: anyone who is interested in theater and hearing new plays

WHAT: is invited to attend a free play-reading event called "First Monday." The "First Monday" series, new this semester, will feature the un-staged reading of a play on the first Monday of every month. The readings are free, and the public is invited to participate.

The October play will be Tony Kushner's Angels in America, a play exploring many of the sexual, racial, religious, political and social issues of the 1980's. Chairs for the cast and audience will be set up in a circle on the stage, creating a participatory setting.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., October 6 and the First Monday of evey month when classes are in session.

WHY: The "First Monday" series was conceived as a way to create community, by bringing actors, directors, and audience members together to explore plays. The reading of the plays will make it possible for people to be exposed to more plays than can be produced economically. It will give local directors a chance to hear plays and actors, and evaluate them for future productions. It will also give exposure to plays that have little chance of being produced.

"Some wonderful plays are unlikely to be produced because they wouldn't have a broad enough appeal. When people are paying for entertainment, they want something lighter, something 'feel-good.' First Monday will give us a chance to explore some heavier, more cerebral material that might not otherwise be presented in a small community," said Julianne Palma, Gavilan College theater instructor.

"First Monday" actually began on the second Monday of September (the first Monday was a holiday) with a reading of The Laramie Project , a play which explores the beating death of Matthew Shepherd, a gay student in Wyoming. Close to 50 people attended that reading.

While the play selections for November and December have not yet been announced, the department has already made plans to hold readings of new works for the Spring semester. Local playwrights are invited to submit their plays for consideration. Actors are also encouraged to participate, and the community may suggest plays for future readings.